MetService says three years after introducing a new red level warning for extreme events the system is working well at alerting people when they need to take immediate action.
The red warnings were introduced in May 2019, and since then seven have been issued. Photo: MetService
The red warnings were introduced in May 2019, and since then seven have been issued, with six in the last 12 months.
All but one of the red warning events were for heavy rain, and five of the events resulted in local or regional states of emergency being declared.
MetService head of weather communications Lisa Murray said red warnings were introduced to make it easier for everyone to understand the level of severity of forecast weather.
"Now, people know - if it is red, it is serious," Murray said.
"Our warnings let people know when and where the severe weather is going to hit, and what impacts to expect. Our baseline message in these red warning events is to take immediate action to protect your whānau, and property and follow the advice of local authorities and emergency services."
MetService severe weather manager Elke Louw said the organisation worked closely with regional councils ahead of issuing the red warnings and during the events to understand local concerns.
"The more forewarning, we can provide, the more time communities have to prepare and stay safe."
The seven events were Fiordland flooding in February 2020, Canterbury flooding in May 2021, West Coast flooding in July 2021, Canterbury winds in September 2021, flooding in the West Coast and Taranaki in February 2022, East Coast flooding in March 2022, and East Coast flooding in April 2022.